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Your Observer

Since he joined the city in 2017, Steve Cover has been preparing to undertake a comprehensive transportation study to assist with long-term planning.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 3, 2019
People to watch 2019: Steve Cover

The city’s planning director will lead significant discussions about traffic, zoning and more.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parking meters are already installed on St. Armands Circle. Up next: downtown.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 3, 2019
Issues to watch 2019: Parking

Paid parking is coming to St. Armands Circle and downtown Sarasota this year. Could Siesta Key be next?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mote Marine Laboratory's plans for a new aquarium are relying on a significant financial contribution from Sarasota County.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 3, 2019
Issues to watch 2019: Mote aquarium

Mote Marine Laboratory is moving aggressively in pursuit of a new aquarium. Will it reach its ambitious goals for the new year?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Virginia Haley called Visit Sarasota County’s strategic planning the most important tourism initiative of the year.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 3, 2019
People to watch 2019: Virginia Haley

From red tide recovery to long-term funding questions, the Sarasota tourism guru is set to have a busy year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction won't begin for a while, but bayfront planners are mapping out a multi-year strategy for funding and building the park project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 3, 2019
Issues to watch 2019: Bayfront planning

In a transitional year, leaders of a bayfront redevelopment effort must bridge the gap from master planning to a fully realized project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 3, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 1.3.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2019
Sarasota man injured in helicopter crash, officials say

Aircraft goes down in gulf, about a mile offshore Anna Maria Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
James Linkogle, project manager, and Isaac Brownman, director of public works, discuss the underground project
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • January 2, 2019
Dig it: Underground utilities work cranks up in 2019

Long-awaited project that not only buries cables but also adds streetlights and enhances cell service is expected to take three years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City planner Jeff Speck will also be signing copies of his book, Walkable City Rules: 101 Steps to Making Better Places.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 2, 2019
City to host talk from walkability expert

Planner Jeff Speck will visit Sarasota Jan. 10 to discuss strategies for creating a more pedestrian-friendly city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jimmy Stonecypher, store manager, and owner, Charles Savidge, stand in the store's new space.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • January 2, 2019
Longboat Ace store expands into shop next door

Ace will still sell many of the Quik-n-Easy products once the business spaces combine, owners say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Charges have been filed in an accident that led to the death of a Myakka City motorcyclist.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 2, 2019
Charges filed in death of Myakka City motorcyclist

Arcadia man turned into the path of a Myakka City motorcyclist on State Road 70 and has been charged with driving without a license.

  • East County
  • News
A condominium in The Beach Residences recently for $3.5 million. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,861 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $3.3 million in 2017.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 2, 2019
The Beach Residences condo sells for $3.5 million

Residential real estate transactions for Dec. 10-14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The University Park home at 7011 Langley Place recently sold for $1,089,900. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,895 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $955,000 in 2004.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 2, 2019
University Park homes tops sales at $1,089,900

Residential real estate transactions for Dec. 10-14.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Susan Goldfarb handpicks each class, performance or lecture that is scheduled at the center. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 2, 2019
Longboat Key Education Center gears up for winter season

The winter season at the Longboat Key education center begins on Jan. 4 and continues until Feb. 28.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kendyl Brahler and Carli Kasten. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Raiders take state titles

Kiddie Academy family celebrates 10 years of family.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker says government should bring services to the people and the county's demographics are shifting eastward.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2019
Premier design year in Lakewood Ranch

Manatee County will spend 2019 planning future improvements at Premier.

  • East County
  • News
Ricki and Ralph Harvey and Beth Stewart at the 2018 Bacchus on the Beach.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 2, 2019
Fifteen events Longboaters shouldn't miss in 2019

The annual Lawn Party is back along with other favorites including fashion shows, the Garden Club's Home Tour and St. Mary's Royal Rummage Sale.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 2, 2019
Cops Corner: They're not suspicious, they're just fine

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Donna DeFant
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2019
They've got the power in the Lakewood Ranch area

Here are the people to watch in 2019.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 2, 2019
Turtle-ly awesome donation

On Dec. 7, the Longboat Key Turtle Watch donated $9,670 to Mote Marine Laboratory’s sea turtle and education programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 2, 2019
2019 word: Chivalry

Men, 2018 was a lousy year. We need to change the trend lines. Adopting the codes of the honorable knights of the Middle Ages would be a good way to start.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
William Smock. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2019
New perspectives for Manatee County Planning Commission

Three new members carry a variety of occupational backgrounds.

  • East County
  • News
Nancy Krohngold, owner of Nancy's Bar-B-Q, will convert Lil’ Nancy’s Bar-B-Q at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch into a prepared food concept and open a larger barbecue location at Lorraine Road and State Road 70.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2019
'Yum' is the word in Lakewood Ranch area

East County dining opportunities will continue to expand in 2019.

  • East County
  • News
Dan Bebak, the vice president of Aquarium, Education and Outreach for Mote Marine, said major planning will take place in 2019 for the new aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 1, 2019
Mote builds momentum in building East County aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park.

Mote Marine builds momentum in building East County aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • News
A 25-year-old Lakewood Ranch woman was killed after being struck by a car along the shoulder of State Road 70, just east of Lorraine Road, on Monday evening.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 1, 2019
Lakewood Ranch woman dies after being hit by car on State Road 70

Florida Highway Patrol investing Lakewood Ranch pedestrian's death just east of Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • News
How long will 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive stay vacant? Depends on a few things.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 1, 2019
Ten bold predictions for 2019

A lot is in the cards for Longboat this year. Here's one swing at what some of them might be.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The pineapple dropped on once the clock struck midnight.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 31, 2018
Happy New Year, Sarasota!

Sarasota's New Years Eve traditional pineapple drop had families and party-goers alike loving the feeling of a new year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rex Jensen, the CEO and president of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, said he is most proud of how Lakewood Ranch has grown as a community.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 31, 2018
Big silver celebration in Lakewood Ranch

Rex Jensen talks about 25 years of progress in Lakewood Ranch before Music on Main party celebrates 25 years.

  • East County
  • News
The scales will tilt up during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • December 31, 2018
Weight and stress are all part of the holiday experience

Be patient during the holidays

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Grand Residence condominium at 280 Golden Gate Point in Aqua sold for $5,695,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 5,946 square feet of living area.Â
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 30, 2018
2018: Top real estate transactions

Top Sarasota-area residential sales by dollar amount.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 29, 2018
2018: Top 10 real estate transactions

East County residents get more than a million for plenty of homes.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Andy Guz, the CEO of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, said a $28.5 million improvements project, started last February, will be completed by March.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 29, 2018
More upgrades for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

More upgrades for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center in 2019

  • East County
  • News
Spider-Man made appearances all over the county, but his stop at the Sarasota Farmers Market brought him to police attention.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2018
2018 Digital Year in Review

Top stories, Yourobserver.com, 2018, most popular, most read stories of the year, Sarasota, Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch, Siesta Key

  • Sarasota
  • News
A fatal traffic accident tied up traffic for hours on Interstate 75 near the State Road 70 exit on Friday morning.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 29, 2018
Motorcyclist dies in I-75 crash near Lakewood Ranch

Motorcyclist dies in I-75 crash near Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
The home at 1219 Westway Drive, built in 2003, has five bedrooms, six-and-two-half baths, a pool and 7,415 square feet of living area. It sold for $7 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 28, 2018
2018: Top 10 real estate transactions

Top Longboat Key residential sales by dollar amount.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
On a morning more suited to hot chocolate than Gatorade, hundreds of runners turned out for the Andrew Monroe Memorial 5K on Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2018
Sarasota's year in pictures: 2018

From the serious to the whimsical, a lot took place last year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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